Zukorlić without portfolio, Nikšić without a stance: Dodik as a taboo topic!

Written by: Amina Čorbo-Zećo

In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina today, tea and hurmašice were served in the government, and messages of peace were sent. In the Republika Srpska, almost everything is ready for the formation of a reserve police unit, while Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić hosted Usama Zukorlić, a minister without portfolio from the government with Aleksandar Vučić.

A few days earlier, Zukorlić also met with Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković. Not a single word from any meeting about the essential problem burdening the state of BiH. Therefore, one must not forget which government Zukorlić comes from and with whom he is in power. More precisely, he was personally chosen by Aleksandar Vučić.

Yes, the very Vučić whom the same Troika often accuses of standing behind the destabilization of BiH, support for Dodik, and the dismantling of state institutions.

But when a minister comes from Belgrade with nice words about "cooperation and connection," then everything is fine. Vučić is a problem, except when he sends his cadres without portfolios on fraternal visits. Then the talk is about infrastructure projects, cultural ties, and Sandžak, while every substantive issue is avoided. Or is that precisely the essence, connecting peoples, not states!?

For Usama Zukorlić, this is PR gold. He came, took photos, talked about "traditionally good relations," about Sandžak and projects, and left as a bridge between two peoples, without having to mention Dodik's secession, Vučić's silence, or the warmongering rhetoric of Serbian tabloids.

For Vučić, it is yet another proof that he can simultaneously pat Dodik on the shoulder and send "spokesmen of reconciliation" to Sarajevo. A double game, and everyone plays it except the naive Bosnian side, which still hopes that regional stability is built with courteous smiles and project promises without delivery deadlines.

Admittedly, Zukorlić does not lead any ministry, so he could not agree on anything concrete, but it sounds good when you say you spoke with a "minister about issues of mutual importance."

Also, it is wonderful that Nikšić and Zukorlić agreed that more dialogue is needed, because talking is always better than, say, taking a stance.

At a time when the Republika Srpska announces legal and factual separation, when the survival of the state is discussed more than its progress, leaders of important institutions show that they have no strategic response unless "more communication" and "exchange of experiences" are considered a strategy.

Perhaps then Dodik should also come without a function, just as a citizen who loves stability. I guarantee a hurmašica would be found for him too.